Playa Potrero

On Monday morning we all piled into the owner Wolfgang's car and he took us grocery shopping. Along the way we got a whirlwind tour of the area. It will require more time to explore.

On Monday afternoon, Wolfgang came around to tell us that the fish man was here. We bought jumbo shrimp and sea bass. The shrimp was quickly cooked with garlic and salsa and the sea  bass went into the freezer for another day.

Yesterday, (Tuesday) before I was really awake, Wolfgang knocked on the door to say that the car rental guy was here. It seems that people here come to you.

I arranged to have a car dropped off here on Friday and return it to Liberia on January 31st. It is a little expensive, but will save us the hassle of a shuttle when we leave. The problem still remains of travelling from Liberia to La Fortuna, where we will be staying for a few more days.

Shortly after, Wolfgang again knocked on our door, this time with a bottle of wine to say farewell. He was on his way to San Jose and on to Europe for two weeks. Before he left, however, I asked for recommended accommodation near  La Fortuna. He had a very strong preference and I immediately booked Arenal Paraiso Resort. You will hear more later.

The pool welcomed us in the morning, and then after lunch a long walk on the beach was finally required.

It turns out that Playa Potrero is long and wide and mostly deserted. It is ours.  It is so flat and firm enough that Debby finds walking easy. She left her cane at home and feels free.

The sand is fine and has black streaks running through it. It might be classed as one of the black volcanic beaches. The locals seem to prefer white sand beaches, but this is quite acceptable. We will explore some of the white beaches when we get our car.

Flamingo is a little town at the end of the beach. It seems to be full of condos.

A few small huts along the beach provide beer and food if a break is required.

Sisters do tend to tease each other.

On the way back we stopped for some local food at another beach restaurant. The menu said it was typical Costa Rican Food and we all enjoyed it immensely. (ceviche, guacamole, rice, beans salad, fish, pork, beer)

Soon after leaving the beach, we heard a rustling in the trees overhead, and looked up to find a group of monkeys travelling through. They were high in the trees and I couldn't get a good picture, but they were our first.

This is the tree where we first heard the monkeys. It seems that it must be a party tree. Tables and benches  and storage areas were built in and around the base. Nearby was an open area with table and what might have been a barbecue.